Chapter 134
Then, to make matters worse, sounds of a man and woman sharing intimacy—sounds he had once overheard through a door in the library
—suddenly replayed in his mind.
He wondered what kind of expression she would make in that kind of situation…
His face turned bright red as he suddenly shot up, only to sit back down again at lightning speed.
It felt like his every movement would make a clattering noise.
Roina, startled by Yoseph’s behavior, opened her eyes wide.
“Th-that, uh, yes, if my heart leans that way, I-I’ll speak comfortably… yes, I will.”
He looked like a malfunctioning robot.
Roina finally burst out laughing with a pfft.
From the window that had been opened to let the room air out—untouched by anyone for a long time—a cool breeze flowed in.
Fresh air filled the entire room.
Just as the envoy had said—about putting the method into Roina’s pocket—there was, curiously enough, a slip of paper inside her pocket.
An address to an inn not far away.
After reading the address, Yoseph gave her a look filled with concern.
“Lady Roina, going to this place could be dangerous.”
Upon hearing those words, Roina suddenly thought that Yoseph spoke in the manner unique to scholars.
Why did he say could be dangerous instead of simply saying it is dangerous?
That’s what she wondered.
Seeing everything as probabilities and trying to account for exceptions—such habits often led to unintended complications.
You could frequently encounter such phrasing if you listened closely to professors or read academic papers.
“But that person… he knew something about the past, didn’t he?”
“Yes, he did.”
“I need to know who I really am. And also—”
[Let me guess, he didn’t even mention your mana? What do you plan to do when you die because of it?]
There had also been an implication about the Great Archmage’s death.
In the original work, the process by which the Great Archmage’s life approached its end was never explained in detail.
Only the outcome was shown—
that he succumbed to darkness and became the corrupted golden dragon.
The path leading to that result was never clearly depicted.
He was endlessly obsessed over the female lead, Veronica, and continued to do so, appearing only as a villain who interfered with her love with the Imperial Crown Prince.
The original story had already gone off course.
The one who had possessed Veronica was not a soul from another world as in the novel she had read, and the Great Archmage had no interest in Veronica at all.
However, it couldn’t be completely dismissed, as Fides had said the original work she read might have been a glimpse into the future.
If that were true, then there must be a clear reason why the future had changed so drastically.
If she could discover the cause, then she might be able to prevent Lutan’s death as well.
She decided to reconsider her relationship with the Great Archmage from the beginning, but that didn’t mean her feelings for him would disappear or that the moment he had saved her from the depths would be erased.
She didn’t want to pass by unaware of even the slightest possibility that the Great Archmage could die.
She would have to meet that mysterious figure, Ryuhyeon, who claimed to be from Ryeo. Because he must surely know secrets the Great Archmage hadn’t told her.
When it seemed Roina wouldn’t change her mind, Yoseph let out a small sigh, then packed the magical devices he had prepared in advance by inscribing spells onto them.
Though he possessed only weak mana, and wasn’t a mage capable of casting spells freely, as a magical scholar he needed various preparations to use magic.
“Since he came in the capacity of an envoy, I don’t believe he’ll be like some common thug, but I’d still prefer to make the necessary preparations in advance. If it’s alright with you, I’ll inform our destination ahead of time so that the escorts can follow us after a certain period.”
Roina nodded readily at that.
There hadn’t been any threatening language telling her to come alone or not to inform anyone, nor had she heard anything of the sort.
Yoseph had a messenger deliver the address and a brief message to the family, and then set out with Roina.
Since the roads of the capital were complicated, and it was unclear when or how danger might arise, someone needed to accompany her.
It was a kindness he wouldn’t normally extend, but Yoseph convinced himself with that reasoning.
He still hadn’t come to a conclusion about how to deal with the budding feelings that had formed within him.
He secretly hoped it would just pass as a fleeting emotion, that it was merely a confused sense of admiration toward her.
‘I hope there won’t be a horribly unproductive clash with the Great Archmage.’
Whether she knew how he felt or not, Roina earnestly moved her steps at a brisk pace, pulling her changed robe tight.
Sigh. Yoseph swallowed his breath and followed behind.
Discussion
0 CommentsNo comments yet.